_ Effects of M. ^ „
Common Air Pollutants
RESPIRATORY EFFECTS
CARDIOVASCULAR rFTHCTS
Symptoms:
•Cough
Phlegm
Chest tightness
Wheezing
Shortness of breath
Alveoli
filled with
trapped air
Increased sickness and
premature death from:
Asthma
Bronchitis (acute or chronic)
Emphysema
Pneumonia
Development of new disease
Chronic bronchitis
Premature aging of the lungs
How Pollutants
Cause Symptoms
Effects on Lung Function
Narrowing of airways
(bronchoconstriction)
Decreased air flow
Symptoms:
• Chest tightness
• Chest pain (angina)
• Palpitations
• Shortness of breath
• Unusual fatigue
Increased sickness and
premature death from:
• Coronary artery disease
•Abnormal heart rhythms
• Congestive heart failure
How Pollutants May
Cause Symptoms
Normal heart rhythm
Airway Inflammation
Influx of white blood cells
Abnormal mucus production
Fluid accumulation and
swelling (edema)
Death and shedding of
cells that line airways
Airway lining
Mucus
White
blood cell
S5V.VS!
Abnormal heart rhythm
Effects on Cardiovascular Function
• Low oxygenation of red blood cells
•Abnormal heart rhythms
•Altered autonomic nervous system
control of the heart
HVAT:
Increased Susceptibility to Respiratory Infection
Normal
Lung with
respiratory infection
Vascular Inflammation
•Increased risk of
blood clot formation
• Narrowing of vessels
(vasoconstriction)
• Increased risk of
atherosclerotic
plaque rupture
Normal
Rupture-prone
vulnerable
plaque
Reduce your risk by using the Air Quality Index (AQI) to plan outdoor activities - www.airnow.gov
AQI Levels of Health Concern
Good
Moderate
AQI Values
0-50
What Action Should People Take?
Enjoy Activities
Unhealthy for
Sensitive Groups
Very Unhealthy
1 51-100
101-150
1 151-200
H
1 201-300
People unusually sensitive to air pollution:
Plan strenuous outside activities when air quality is better
Sensitive Groups: Cut back or reschedule strenuous outside activities
Particle Pollution: People with heart or lung disease (including diabetics), older adults, and children
Ozone: Active children and adults and people with lung disease
Sulfur Dioxide: Active children and adults with asthma
Carbon Monoxide: People with heart disease and possibly fetuses and infants
Everyone: Cut back or reschedule strenuous outside activities
Sensitive groups: Avoid strenuous outside activities
Everyone: Significantly cut back on outside physical activities ^^p^E^^ipi«Bcaon
Sensitive groups: Avoid all outside physical activities EPA 452/p 04 001
Netter illustrations used with permission from Icon Learning Systems, a division of MediMedia USA, Inc. All rights reserved.
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